20150672 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20090825

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
John Hennessy
DENR - Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699 - 1621
August 25, 2009
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LYNDO TIPPETT 4,
SECRETARY '`+'Y
SUBJECT: Start of Study Request for Bridge Replacement Projects
Dear Mr. Hennessy;
The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch is starting the
project development, environmental and engineering studies for the following projects
listed below. The projects are included in the 2009-2015 North Carolina Transportation
Improvement Program and are scheduled construction in fiscal year 2014/2015.
TIP NO COUNTY
B-4448 Burke
B-4687 Yancey
B-4734 Clay
B-4763 Haywood
B-4775 Macon
B-4822 Transylvania
B-4849 Yancey
B-4986 Rutherford
B-5158 Mitchell
B-5159 Jackson
B-5167 Buncombe
B-5170 Mitchell
BRIDGE NO. Road
REHABILITATE BRIDGE NO 149 COVER SR 1744 ON I-40
REPLACE BRIDGE NO. 105 ?
REPLACE BRIDGE NO 9
REPLACE BRIDGE NO 35 ?
REPLACE BRIDGE NO 17 ?
REPLACE BRIDGE NO 13
REPLACE BRIDGE NO 21
REPLACE BRIDGE NO 76 :/
REPLACE BRIDGE NOS. ?
100, 101, AND 102
REPLACE BRIDGE NO 101 ?
REPLACE BRIDGE NO 108
REPLACE BRIDGE NO 29
OVER LITTLE CREEK ON SR 1411
OVER TUSQUITEE CREEK ON SR 1300
OVER BALD CREEK ON SR 1503
OVER WAYAH CREEK ON SR 1309
OVER TUCKER CREEK ON SR 1119
OVER LITTLE CRABTREE CREEK ON SR 1 142
OVER PUZZLE, CREEK ON SR 1576
OVER CRABTREE CREEK ON SR 1002
OVER CANEY CREEK ON SR 1740
OVER UPPER FLAT CREEK ON SR 2806
OVER ROCK CREEK ON NC 226
We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in
evaluating potential environmental impacts of the project. Your comments will be used in
the preparation of a federally funded Categorical Exclusion. This document will be
prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. It is desirable that
your agency respond by November 30, 2009, so that your comments can be used in the
preparation of this document.
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
BRIDGE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT UNIT
1551 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE. WWW.NCDOTORG
LOCATION:
PARKER LINCOLN BLDG
2728 CAPITOL BLVD- SUITE 168
RALEIGH NC 27604
If you have any questions concerning any of these projects, please contact Pamela R.
Williams at prwilliamsne ncdot.gov or [phone]. Please include the TIP Project
Number in all correspondence and comments.
Sincerely
e6t,zt/?1
Pamela R. Williams
Bridge Project Planning Engineer
PDEA-Bridge Unit-NCDOT
[phone]
Attachments

NC®ENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Colleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
September 4, 2009
MEMORANDUM
TO: Pamela Williams, Bridge Project Planning Engineer, NCDOT
FROM: Brian Wrenn, NCDWQ, Central Office
SUBJECT: Seeping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Projects:
B- 4448, Burke County
B-4687, Yancey County
B-4734, Clay County
B-4763, Haywood County
B-4775, Macon County
B-4822, Transylvania County
B-4849, Yancey County
B-4986, Rutherford County
B-5158, Mitchell County
B-5159, Jackson County
B-5167, Buncombe County
B-5170, Mitchell County
In reply to your correspondence dated August 29, 2009 (received August 25, 2009) in which you
requested comments for the above referenced projects, the NCDWQ offers the following comments:
Project-Specific Comments
B-4448, Bridge No. 149 Over SR 1744, Burke County
1. NCDWQ has no specific comments regarding this bridge project.
B-4687, Bridge No. 105 Over Little Creek, Yancey County
1. Little Creek is class C; Tr waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective
sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in
trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance
with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission requirements.
2. Preliminary investigation indicates that Little Creek closely parallels SR 1411. NCDWQ has
concerns regarding increased impacts to Little Creek due to widening of fill slopes. Any
widening should occur to the side of the road opposite of Little Creek to the maximum extent
practical.
3. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally
reproducing trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC-recommended
i Transportation Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Internet: hap:llh2o.encstate.nc.uslnmetlandsl
Dee Freeman
Secretary
NorthCarolina
NQtlll aliff
An Equal Opportunity 1 ARrmatve Action Employer
moratoria for trout. In addition, NCDWQ will require that NCDOT strictly adhere to North
Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B
.0124) throughout design and construction of the project.
B-4734, Bridge No. 9 Over Tusquitee Creek, Clay County
Tusquitee Creek is classified as WS-IV; Tr; High Quality Waters of the State in the project study
area. This is one of the highest classifications for water quality. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H
.1006 and 15A NCAC 2B .0224, NCDOT will be required to obtain a State Stormwater Permit
prior to construction except in North Carolina's twenty coastal counties. Given the potential for
impacts to these resources during the project implementation, the NCDWQ will require that
NCDOT strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive
Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0124) throughout design and construction of the project. In
addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with NC Division
of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission requirements.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally
reproducing trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC-recommended
moratoria for trout.
B-4763, Bridge No. 35 Over Bald Creek, Haywood County
1. Bald Creek is class C waters of the State. Preliminary investigation indicates that Bald Creek
closely parallels SR 1505. NCDWQ has concerns regarding increased impacts to Bald Creek due
to widening of fill slopes. Any widening should occur to the side of the road opposite of Bald
Creek to the maximum extent practical.
B-4775, bridge No. 17 Over Wayah Creek, Macon County
1. Wayah Creek is class WS-III; Tr waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most
protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity
violations in trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in
accordance with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission
requirements.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally
reproducing trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NC WRC-recommended
moratoria for trout. In addition, NCDWQ will require that NCDOT strictly adhere to North
Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B
.0124) throughout design and construction of the project.
B-4822, Bridge No. 13 Over Norton Creek (Tucker Creek), Transylvania County
Norton Creek is class C; Tr waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective
sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk. of turbidity violations in
trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance
with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission requirements.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally
reproducing trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC-recom mended
moratoria for trout. In addition, NCDWQ will require that NCDOT strictly adhere to North
Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B
.0124) throughout design and construction of the project.
B-4849, Bridge No. 21 Over Little Crabtree Creek, Yancey County
I . Little Crabtree Creek is class C; Tr waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most
protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity
violations in trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in
accordance with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission
requirements.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally
reproducing trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC-recommended
moratoria for trout. In addition, NCDWQ will require that NCDOT strictly adhere to North
Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B
.0124) throughout design and construction of the project.
B-4986, Bridge No. 76 Over Puzzle Creek, Rutherford County
I . Puzzle Creek is class WS-V waters of the State. Preliminary investigation indicates that there is a
confluence of an unnamed tributary immediately upstream of the bridge. NCDWQ has concerns
regarding increased impacts to the unnamed tributary due to widening of fill slopes. Any
widening should occur to the side of the road opposite of tributary to the maximum extent
practical.
B-5158, Bridge Nos. 100, 101, and 102 Over Big Crabtree Creek, Mitchell County
I. Big Crabtree Creek is class C; Tr waters of the State. Preliminary investigation indicates that Big
Crabtree Creek closely parallels SR 1002. NCDWQ has concerns regarding increased impacts to
Big Crabtree Creek due to widening of fill slopes. Any widening should occur to the side of the
road opposite of Big Crabtree Creek to the maximum extent practical.
2. The Big Crabtree Creek is known habitat for the endangered Appalachian Elktoe mussel.
NCDWQ recommends that NCDOT strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled "Design
Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0124) throughout design and construction
of the project.
3. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally
reproducing trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC-recommended
moratoria for trout. In addition, NCDWQ will require that NCDOT strictly adhere to North
Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B
.0124) throughout design and construction of the project.
B-5159, Bridge No. 101 Over Caney Creek, Jackson County
I. Caney Creek is class WS-III; Tr waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most
protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity
violations in trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in
accordance with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission
requirements.
2. Preliminary investigation indicates that Caney Creek closely parallels SR 1737. NCDWQ has
concerns regarding increased impacts to Caney Creek due to widening of fill slopes. Any
widening should occur to the side of the road opposite of Caney Creek to the maximum extent
practical.
3. Should NC Wildlife Resources Comm ission.(NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally
reproducing trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC-recommended
moratoria for trout. In addition, NCDWQ will require that NCDOT strictly adhere to North
Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (I 5A NCAC 04B
.0124) throughout design and construction of the project.
B-5167, Bridge No. 108 Over Flat Creek, Buncombe County
Flat Creek is class C; Tr waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective
sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in
trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance
with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission requirements.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally
reproducing trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC-recommended
moratoria for trout. In addition, NCD WQ will require that NCDOT strictly adhere to North
Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B
.0124) throughout design and construction of the project.
B-5170, Bridge No. 29 Over Big Rock Creek, Mitchell County
I . Big Rock Creek is class C; Tr waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective
sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in
trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance
with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission requirements.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally
reproducing trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC-recommended
moratoria for trout. In addition, NCDWQ will require that NCDOT strictly adhere to North
Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B
.0124) throughout design and construction of the project.
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
I. NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project.
NCDOT shall address these concerns by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the
aquatic environments and any mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts.
2. If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is
approved under General 401 Certification Number 3687/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey
Activities.
3. If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge, NCDWQ
believes the use of a Nationwide Permit may be required. Please contact the US Army Corp of
Engineers to determine the required permit(s).
4. If the old bridge is removed, no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is allowed unless
otherwise authorized by the US ACOE. Strict adherence to the Corps of Engineers guidelines for
bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification.
5. Whenever possible, NCDWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not
require work within the stream or grubbing of the streambanks and do not require stream channel
realignment. The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges shall allow for human and
wildlife passage beneath the structure. Fish passage and navigation by canoeists and boaters shall
not be blocked. Bridge supports (bents) should not be placed in the stream when possible.
6. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed across
the bridge and pre-treated through site-appropriate means (grassed swales, pre-formed scour holes,
vegetated buffers, etc.) before entering the stream. Please refer to the most current version of
NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area shall be maintained to prevent direct contact
between curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall
not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and
fish kills.
8. If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, the site shall be graded to its preconstruction
contours and elevations. Disturbed areas shall be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and
appropriate native woody species shall be planted. When using temporary structures the area shall
be cleared but not grubbed. Clearing the area with chain saws, mowers, bush-hogs, or other
mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat intact allows the area to re-vegetate
naturally and minimizes soil disturbance.
9. Sediment and erosion control measures sufficient to protect water resources must be implemented
and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of North Carolina Sediment and Erosion
Control Planning and Design Manual and the most recent version of NCS000250.
10. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise
approved by NCDWQ. Approved BMP measures from the most current version of NCDOT
Construction and Maintenance Activities manual such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and
other diversion structures shall be used to prevent excavation in flowing water.
11. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the bank rather than in stream channels in order to
minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into streams. This
equipment shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from
leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.
12. In most cases, the NCDWQ prefers the replacement of the existing structure at the same location
with road closure. If road closure is not feasible, a temporary detour shall be designed and located
to avoid wetland impacts, minimize the need for clearing and to avoid destabilizing stream banks.
If the structure will be on a new alignment, the old structure shall be removed and the approach fills
removed from the 100-year floodplain. Approach fills shall be removed and restored to the natural
ground elevation. The area shall be stabilized with grass and planted with native tree species. Tall
fescue shall not be used in riparian areas.
General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert
Placement of culverts and other structures in waters, streams, and wetlands shall be below the
elevation of the streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20
percent of the culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than 48 inches, to allow low flow
passage of water and aquatic life. Design and placement of culverts and other structures including
temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in dis-
equilibrium of wetlands or streambeds or banks, adjacent to or upstream and down stream of the
above structures. The applicant is required to provide evidence that the equilibrium is being
maintained if requested in writing by NCDWQ. If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock
or other limiting features encountered during construction, please contact the NCDWQ for guidance
on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification will be required.
2. If multiple pipes or barrels are required, they shall be designed to mimic natural stream cross section
as closely as possible including pipes or barrels at flood plain elevation, floodplain benches and/or
sills may be required where appropriate. Widening the stream channel shall be avoided. Stream
channel widening at the inlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases water velocity causing
sediment deposition that requires increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage.
3. Riprap shall not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a manner that
precludes aquatic life passage. Bioengineering boulders or structures shall be properly designed,
sized and installed.
Thank you for requesting our input at this time. NCDOT is reminded that issuance of a 401 Water
Quality Certification requires that appropriate measures be instituted to ensure that water quality
standards are met and designated uses are not degraded or lost. If you have any questions or require
additional information, please contact Brian Wrenn at 919-733-5715.
cc: David Baker, US Army Corps of Engineers, Asheville Field Office
Chris Militscher, Environmental Protection Agency (electronic copy only)
Marla Chambers, NC Wildlife Resources Commission (electronic copy only)
Mike Parker, NCDWQ Asheville Regional Office
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT&
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
TRANSVLVANIA COUNTY
REPLACE BRIDGE NO. 13 ON SR 1119
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B-4822
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